It was in this stadium nine months ago, against a team wearing a light hue of blue, when their relationship with this famous, storied competition reignited.

Scarves twirled, strangers were hugged. The Kop throbbed, Anfield electrified. Even the Main Stand, that structural behemoth which has come to represent and reflect something more than 8,000 extra seats, shook to its core.

The power of Anfield had claimed Manchester City, and its billion-dollar operation, as its latest victim. There had been many of those in the past; in black and white, technicolour and HD. But they also had been the first in a long while; too long. It was the night Jurgen Klopp 's reign truly took flight; the moment that bond he wanted, demanded, was fashioned without thinking.

Then came Roma, then came Real Madrid. The highest high, the lowest low. The only thing which couldn't stop were the tears which flowed in Kiev.

Having relished the role of underdog, it was now time to wrestle with expectation. Even with the difficulty of the group – Ligue 1 giants, 91-point Serie A runners-up and a trip to a raucous Belgrade – it was anticipated Liverpool would reach the last 16.

Football rarely follows the script.

And so to Anfield once more, and Napoli. The night Liverpool wanted the script to be followed; a script they can claim copyright too, such is the number of times they have acted it out upon this turf.

The ingredients were there. The guttural roar when James Milner closed down goalkeeper David Ospina; the howl of anguish, as if an important mortgage application had been declined, when Virgil van Dijk's man-and-ball challenge on Dries Mertens brought a booking; the delirium and derision of Sadio Mane's goal ruled offside.

But Liverpool's finest hours have come in the midst of chaos. St-Etienne, Olympiakos; even Borussia Dortmund, in the competition Steven Gerrard never wanted to wake up in, came in a frenzy.

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That is why, and how, Klopp has restored these famous nights. Those two evenings of last season, against City and Roma, were a whirling dervish of red. The iconic song which accompanied it, Allez Allez Allez, mimicked it with a lack of cadence or tune, but offered sheer and utter intent.

This season's Liverpool has been different, though. The songs remain strained and sped up to synchronise with the Kop's heart rate, but what is before them is far more considered. The five-goal thriller against PSG was a throwback to last season, rather than in keeping with this.

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Threes and fours against Burnley and Bournemouth aside, the campaign has been founded on sensible soccer; control, closing spaces, contempt for attackers looking to score.

In a strange way, perhaps this team is too complete, too well-rounded, to invite the chaos which sees these events occur. This is a team which will prod and poke, rather than perforate from minute one.

In one moment, however, the flash which Liverpool had waited for; the inspiration it needed. The chaos it wanted and needed to invite.

Salah, that frenzied ball with the crown upon his curls, provided the moment which makes these moments so special, so remembered.

From then on, the gates opened, the narrative began to be written once more. A curious situation which saw Napoli have everything to gain, and Liverpool everything to lose.

Voices crackled, anger spilt over with each maddening decision from the Slovenian officials. The game opened up, an Italian aerial assault incoming; second, third and fourth balls were contested, won, and accompanied with roars. Liverpool had the opportunity to further their lead, Mane in particular, but shots hit limbs and side-nettings.

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Liverpool 1-0 Napoli

So many of these nights have seen Liverpool snatch victory from the jaws of defeat, but this new Liverpool have victory in their hands and clasp it tightly. When Napoli finally bypassed Virgil van Dijk and Joel Matip with seconds remaining, they were met with Alisson Becker; a yellow wall of a man with the agility of a panther, a piece of Brazilian brilliance which will be remembered as fondly as any goal on these famous occasions.

The script had been followed but the roles had been reversed. Liverpool and Salah initiated the frenzy and then his team-mates repelled it, right until the final second. Few would have guessed last season this side was capable of a 1-0 win, but this is what they are now are.

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It means Klopp's side enter the last 16 once more with nothing to fear. Their away form must improve but this is a side, and squad, who can now do both: play smart, but also call upon the madness when needed.

As the full time whistle went, that chaotic chant went up, starting from seven different parts of the stadium.

Never gonna stop?

Liverpool's love affair with the European Cup hasn't yet. Not by a long shot.